An Indian-origin Sikh couple in the US has been found guilty of physically abusing and threatening their relative for years, forcing them to work long hours at their store, and confiscating her immigration documents.Has been appointed. The Department of Justice will investigate and vigorously prosecute these cases to hold human traffickers accountable and provide justice for their victims.
An Indian-origin Sikh couple has been convicted of years of physical abuse and threats.
An Indian-origin Sikh couple in the US has been convicted of forcing a relative to work long hours at their store, subjecting them to years of physical abuse and threats and confiscating her immigration documents.Has been appointed. Harmanpreet Singh (30) and Kulbir Kaur (43) of Richmond (Virginia) lured the victim to travel to the United States with false promises of helping him get admission in school.
They took the victim’s immigration documents after he arrived in the United States and immediately hired him, a Justice Department release said Monday.
On three separate occasions he threatened the victim, Singh’s cousin, with a revolver when he tried to take a day off and tried to leave.
After a two-week trial, a federal jury in the Eastern District of Virginia on Friday found the couple guilty of forced labor, financial extortion, and financial fraud in connection with the operation of a gas station and convenience store in North Chesterfield.
Evidence presented at trial revealed that between March 2018 and May 2021, the couple employed the victim for labor, including working as a cashier at their store, preparing food, cleaning and managing store records.and forced to provide services.
Singh and Kaur used various coercive methods, including confiscating the victim’s immigration documents, physically abusing her, and making threats. Apart from this, the victim is sometimes paid minimum wage. This included being forced to work long hours.
Jessica D’Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, said, “These defendants engaged in a serious enticement. They lured the victim with false promises of an education in the United States.and instead faced long hours of work, abusive living conditions, and mental and physical abuse.”
The jury heard that the victim was left to sleep in the back office of the store for days on several occasions. The couple limited his access to food.
They refused to provide medical care or education, and used surveillance devices to monitor the victim both in the shop and at home.
Furthermore, they rejected her request to return to India and forced her to overstay her visa Evidence also showed that when the victim asked for his immigration documents back and tried to leave, Singh pulled his hair, slapped and kicked him.
“The defendants exploited the victim’s trust and her desire to attend school in the United States,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clark of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
Then they subjected her to physical and mental harassment, all so that they could employ her for their own benefit.”
Human trafficking is a shameful and unacceptable crime, and this decision should send a clear message that the Department of Justice will investigate these cases to hold human traffickers accountable a Will prosecute strictly and provide justice to their victims.
Singh and Kaur face a maximum of 20 years in prison, up to five years of supervised release, a fine of up to $250,000 and mandatory restitution for the forced labor charges. on couple’s punishment The hearing is to be held on May 8.
Discover more from TODAY US NEWS
Subscribe to get the latest posts to your email.